There were 109 active forest fires in the Northwest Region as of the evening of Aug. 2, 2021, including 18 not under control (AFFES photo/Twitter) WABASEEMOONG INDEPENDENT NATION, Ont. — A Northwestern Ontario First Nation only 20 kilometres distant from a large forest fire has declared a state of emergency. According to the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre, Wabaseemoong 's Chief and Council made the declaration Monday due to the threat of fire and smoke from wildland fires in the Kenora region and nearby in Manitoba. An Ontario government spokesperson said the Operations Centre is currently engaged in "active discussions" with community leaders and government partners about the precautionary evacuation of vulnerable community members.